A craving for synthetic cannabis led a 22-year-old man to demand cash and cigarettes at knifepoint in Greerton last month.
Aaron James Junior Hone pleaded guilty in the District Court, Tauranga, on Friday to a charge of assault with intent to rob at Greerton Liquor on February 17.
The unemployedGate Pa man backed off when the woman behind the counter produced a softball bat, whacked it down on the counter and then raised it towards him.
The police summary said Hone was feeling the effect of being without synthetic cannabis for several days when he decided to rob in order to buy more cannabis.
Taking a bag and kitchen knife from home, and wearing sunglasses to hide his identity, he walked through the Greerton Shopping Centre looking for a place to rob.
Police said Hone waited outside Greerton Liquor for several minutes before entering and approaching the counter.
He then put the bag on the counter and asked the person behind the counter for cigarettes and money, saying he did not have any money.
"When the victim declined to give him money, the defendant reached into the bag and produced a knife, holding it up and then replacing it into the bag."